Hi Susan,
I contacted you a few years back about a magazine I started for students in Chicago Public Schools. I thought I would reach out again and give you an update.
StudentsXpress is a publication I created for and by CPS students (preK to 8th grade). Our mission: While showcasing art and writing from students in Chicago Public Schools, StudentsXpress aims to promote creativity and literacy, encourage alternative expressions, create positive self esteem and open discussions.
Currently, StudentsXpress has a circulation of 10,000 and is delivered to every branch of the Chicago Public Library, along with being distributed to the schools listed below — many through programs such as Working In The Schools and Authors In The Schools. I was fortunate to find these partners. However, I am looking for additional partnership(s) in order to reach more of Chicago’s youth. If you know of any businesses or organizations that might be interested in being a part of this project, please let me know.
I was very moved by the speech Mayor [Rahm] Emanuel gave a few weeks back. He said the deck is stacked against our children and he wants to shuffle the deck to put the kids on top. StudentsXpress does exactly that. It reaches students at a young age — before they’ve reached the age of difficult decisions and peer pressure — and helps them build the confidence in their voice that ultimately helps them stand up for themselves and make good decisions.
He also said we all have to be a part of the solution in Chicago. I have been trying to be a part of that solution for years. But I can’t do it alone. I know I have something great with StudentsXpress, and I hope a business or organization will step up and join me in making a difference in the lives of our youth and future — beyond the classroom.
I would like to create something bigger, that will live on for years to come. I can’t do that alone, and I am asking for any contacts you might have whom I can reach out to with a proposal for a partnership. I know this project is worthy — all I need is the right partner.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Rachel Switall
Founder, CEO, Rachel Switall Magazine Group, NFP, 501c3
StudentsXpress magazine
rachel@studentsxpress.com
Learn more about StudentsXpress and how you can get involved here.
Current StudentsXpress Schools:
- Alcott
- Blaine
- DuBois
- Edwards
- Patrick Henry
- Medgar Evers
- Hamilton
- Jenner
- Manierre
- Nettelhorst
- Waters
- Wentworth
- Westcott
- Wildwood World Magnet
- Melody Elementary
- Holden Elementary
- Cook Elementary
- Learn-Hunter Perkins Elementary
- Drake Elementary
- Walsh Elementary
- Washington-Irving Elementary
- McAuliffe Elementary
- Otis Elementary
- Talcott Elementary
- Perez Elementary
- Fairfield Elementary
- Lozano Elementary
- De Diego Elementary
- Brownell Elementary
- Lawndale Elementary
- Brown Elementary
- McClellan Elementary
- Everett Elementary
- Chavez Elementary
- Stowe
- Pershing
- Haines
- George Washington
- Sabin
- Nixon
- National Teachers Academy
- Black
- JRD
- Sabin
- Drake
- Graham
- Stowe
- Bridgeport Catholic Academy
- McClellan
- South Loop
- Cameron
- Kaminsky
